Champions Ratoath dismantle Kildalkey in statement victory

Ratoath have solidified their ambitions for a second Jubilee Cup in a row with a comfortable victory over Kildalkey on Sunday.

Ratoath 3-16

Kildalkey 0-11

Tom Gannon

A red card for Evan Fitzgerald in the 40th minute left Kildalkey with very little hope of staging a comeback as Ratoath cruised to victory over their Jubilee Cup rivals at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday. Two goals in quick succession with five minutes remaining in the first-half saw Ratoath pull away in what was a cagey tight encounter up to that point. When Ratoath were handed a numerical advantage 10 minutes into the second-half, they quickly put the game to bed.

Many travelled to Pairc Tailteann in the hope of witnessing what had been billed as the clash of the championship so far. While the contest did not live up to that level of expectation, it was a very impressive statement performance from the champions.

Ratoath’s forwards in particular were outstanding. Cian Rogers always looked a threat at full forward, Padraig O’Hanrahan impressed and hit 1-8 while Bryan McMahon and Gavin McGowan caused a lot of issues for the Kildalkey defence. Darragh Kelly was, as per usual, a rock at the heart of the Ratoath defence and Colm O’Riordan’s puck outs were key to Ratoath’s strategy.

The first-quarter of an hour was fairly dour and dull. Padraig O’Hanrahan hit four of Ratoath’s first five scores and set up his brother Ciaran for another which handed Ratoath a lead of five points to four after 17 minutes.

In what was a vital two-minute period, Ratoath hit two goals in quick succession to change the complexion on the scoreboard drastically. A long free from Padraig O’Hanrahan was guided in the air to the back of the net by McMahon. Less than a minute later, Rogers produced a stunning finish to raise another green flag after Daithi McGowan set up the full-forward with a wonderful long-range pass.

Kildalkey scored the last two points of the half through Paddy Conneely and at the interval, Ratoath led 2-5 to 0-6. After the restart, McMahon and Padraig O’Hanrahan both split the posts which stretched Ratoath’s lead to seven. Cian Rogers had the ball in the Kildalkey net again but he was judged to have taken too many steps in the build-up.

Conneely pulled one back for Kildakey before they suffered a major blow when Evan Fitzgerald was given his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident with Cian Kelly. After that, the contest somewhat flattened out as it became clear that 14 men Kildalkey were not going to be able to make much inroads into Ratoath’s lead.

Between the 49th minute and the 54th minute scored five points on the spin to press home their advantage. Two Padraig O’Hanrahan frees were sandwiched either side of scores from McMahon, Cian Kelly and Gavin McGowan.

Padraig O’Hanrahan tagged on another free before Caemerhon Smyth was forced to pull of a great save which denied Rogers a second goal

Daithi McGowan played a lovely hand pass to Padraig O’Hanrahan who struck first time and scored Ratoath’s third goal. Gavin McGowan wrapped up proceedings with another point as Andrew Dermody's side eased to victory.

Ratoath - Colm O'Riordan; Liam Corbett, Cormac Butler, Cian Kelly (0-1); Ben McGowan, Darragh Kelly, Rob Hayes; Ciaran O'Hanrahan (0-1), Jack McGowan (0-1); Niall McLarnon (0-1), Gavin McGowan (0-2), Padraig O'Hanrahan (1-8, five frees, one '65'); Bryan McMahon (1-2), Cian Rogers (1-0), Daithi McGowan. Subs - Domhnall Rogers for Hayes 44m, Tim Fitzpatrick for Corbett 50m, Sean Murphy for J McGowan 55m, Tom Fadden for McMahon 59m.

Kildalkey - Caemerhon Smyth; Brendan McKeon, Brin Kelly, David Conneely; Jamie Kavanagh, Cian Colhoun, Paddy Barnwell (0-1); Martin Healy, Patrick Potterton; Luke Rickard, Evan Fitzgerald, Brian O'Halloran (0-1); Paddy Conneely (0-7 five frees, one '65'), Niall McNally, Conor Fitzgerald (0-1). Subs - Nicky Potterton (0-1) for C Fitzgerald half-time, Tiernan Bird for McKeon 38m, Kelvin Lynch for Colhoun 53m.

Referee - Derek Argue (Cavan).